Qualifying Offers Extended to Barber and Lent

July 1, 2004 - ECHL (ECHL)
San Diego Gulls News Release


SAN DIEGO — The San Diego Gulls have tendered qualifying offers to both Greg Barber and Nick Lent, head coach Martin St. Amour announced on Thursday. Per club policy, no financial terms of the offers were disclosed.

Barber accumulated 76 points (30g, 46a) last season for the Gulls, on his way to being named to the ECHL's All-Rookie Team. Among all rookies he ranked second in points, goals and assists. Overall in the league, the 24-year-old winger was tied for 12th in points. Barber was also San Diego's lone representative at the 2004 Par-A-Dice All-Star Game.

Before turning pro, the 6-foot-2-inch, 205-pound native of Kelowna, British Columbia spent four years at the University of Denver (three of which were spent with current Gull David Neale). During his collegiate tenure, Barber was named to the All-Academic Team twice (2001 and 2003). He was a seventh round selection of the Boston Bruins in the 1999 NHL Entry Draft.

Lent, 27, played in three playoff games for the Gulls last season, recording two points (1g, 1a). He was acquired by San Diego from the Greenville Grrrowl on March 16 for future considerations (Clayton Read). Lent began last season with the Reading Royals before being traded to Greenville on Feb. 5. Upon obtaining his rights, Greenville then sent him to the American Hockey League's Springfield Falcons. He remained with Springfield before joining the Gulls for the playoffs.

In 45 games in the ECHL last season, Lent registered 17 points (7g, 10a) and 51 penalty minutes. In 27 games in the AHL last season, he recorded 11 points (3g, 8a) and 35 penalty minutes. The 6-foot-5-inch, 225-pound native of Westwood, Mass. began his professional career in 1999-00 with the United Hockey League's B.C. Icemen. He was an eighth round selection of the Phoenix Coyotes in the 1996 NHL Entry Draft.

Each team was entitled to reserve the rights to a maximum of eight qualified players. Of the eight qualified players, no more than four could be veterans (288 regular season professional games played prior to the start of the upcoming 2004-05 season). Neither Barber nor Lent is a veteran and both cannot be traded as long as their respective qualifying offers remain open.

Barber and Lent will have until Aug. 1 to accept their qualifying offers. If they don't accept the offer by that date, it will become null and void and the Gulls may sign them to any salary or elect to take no further action. Since both are non-veteran players, the Gulls will retain their rights for one playing season.

The Gulls open their second season in the ECHL Friday, Oct. 22 in Long Beach and open their home schedule Saturday, Oct. 23 against Fresno. Season ticket packages are currently on sale. For pricing and benefits, contact 619-224-GOAL, ext. 7. Individual tickets will go on sale starting Saturday, Sept. 25. For information regarding any promotions and giveaways during the 2004-05 season, log onto www.sandiegogulls.com.



ECHL Stories from July 1, 2004


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